Our mission is to grow exceptional wines in harmony with nature. Driven by a respect for the land and a desire to produce wines that reflected the essence of McLaren Vale. Our organic journey began 30 years ago, leading us to become McLaren Vale’s first organic winemaker.
Organic & Sustainable Viticulture
Bosworth Wines’ core mission is to grow with minimum impact on our environment. We work in harmony with the regional climate and take inspiration from the old-school farming methods that never really went out of style.
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Our certified organic grapes are grown and processed without synthetic chemicals, fertilisers or GMO’s allowing us to nourish the land, protect biodiversity and support the ecosystem. This way we protect our land, water and air, creating an environment rich in flora, fauna, and nutrients, resulting in healthier vines and, ultimately, wines of exceptional quality.
Australian Certified Organic (30 years) and Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification demonstrates our long-term commitment to sustainable practices.
Australian Certified Organic & Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification means our wines are:
- 100% Organic from vineyard to bottle
- Free of man-made chemicals including pesticides, herbicides, growth regulators, fertilisers & GMO’s
- Contain minimal preservatives
- Enhance and preserve the biodiversity of the land & soil
- Minimise water consumption from vine to bottle
- Minimise greenhouse emissions & reduce waste
- These practices are independently audited annually
Wine Making
Our winemaking philosophy is to allow the quality of our organically grown grapes to shine through in the wines. Our focus is on making premium wines that express the unique terroir of our McLaren Vale foothills site, while minimising our environmental impact.
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We employ a range of traditional and modern vinification techniques to bring out the best in each grape variety, resulting in vegan and preservative-free wines wherever possible.
Our four wine ranges showcase the diversity of our approach:
Battle of Bosworth: This premium range employs traditional vinification to showcase the depth and complexity of McLaren Vale terroir.
Outlier Range: The Outlier Range explores the boundaries of winemaking – unique varietals and modern winemaking techniques representing the future of McLaren Vale wine.
Springs Seed Wine Co: The Springs Seed Wine Co range offers vibrant and approachable organic wines. Minimal intervention allows the purity of the fruit to shine through.
Springs Road & Little Island Wine: Grown on our Kangaroo Island vineyard, these wines showcase the unique terroir of this pristine island.
100% Family Owned.
Battle of Bosworth is proud to have been a privately owned family business since it began in 1970.
Our Story
Bosworth Wines is founded on three core principles:
- Celebrating our version of family-owned grape growing and winemaking,
- An enduring passion for organic viticulture and
- A commitment to making wines that reflect the patch of McLaren Vale we call home.
Willunga was settled in 1837 and Bosworths have been growing grapes in the district on and off since the late 1850s, a long history of looking after the land that still inspires us today.
The Battle of Bosworth story began at Grange Farm (circa 1850). Originally a stone fruit and almond farm, it became home to Peter and Anthea Bosworth in the 1970s. They renovated the old homestead and converted the orchard to vineyards. Joch spent his formative days working on the vineyards and now owns and runs with Louise.
Building on his family history, Joch took over management in 1995, driven by a passion for sustainable and environmentally responsible viticulture. With partner Louise Hemsley Smith, they embarked on a journey to convert the vineyards to organic practices, a pioneering move in the McLaren Vale region.
This spirit of experimentation remains, along with a focus on natural, minimal processing, allowing Bosworth Wines to celebrate the unique terroir of McLaren Vale.
Our Region
Willunga
Situated in the foothills of the southern Mount Lofty Ranges just south of McLaren Vale township, the Battle of Bosworth vineyards have it about as good as it gets in terms of conditions for growing the best wine grapes. To the west are the pristine waters and cooling breezes of the Gulf St Vincent. To the east are the protective slopes of the Ranges.
At 130 meters above sea level, our vineyards benefit from the protection of the ranges, their cooling gully breezes in summer and the moderating influence of the Gulf. The combination of land and sea, creating a distinctive microclimate with cool summer breezes and mild winters, contributing to the consistent production of premium wines.
Climate
McLaren Vale enjoys a Mediterranean climate characterised by winter rainfall, low humidity, and high evaporation rates. Proximity to the ocean moderates both summer and winter temperatures, creating an ideal environment for consistent grape ripening and almost no frost risk.
A Rich History
Willunga has a rich agricultural history. It has been a hub of agricultural activity since its earliest pioneer days, cultivating wheat, sheep, stone fruits, barley, dairy cattle, and almonds. This vibrant heritage continues to influence the character of the region today.
Our Vineyards
The Battle of Bosworth vineyards are tucked away in in the southern foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges, not far from the historic Willunga township, which forms the eastern boundary of the McLaren Vale region.
The Bosworth Family established our foundation site, Edgehill Vineyard, in the late 1970’s. Additional vineyards including Chanticleer, Denton’s, Braden’s and Cox’s blocks were acquired in 2008. Our Winery Block and Grange block (including the Orchard Chardonnay, Hill Block Shiraz and Ding’s Block) are at the heart of the estate alongside the Cellar Door and winery.
Meet the team
Joch Bosworth
Owner, instigator and leader of Bosworth Wines.
Born in McLaren Vale, Joch grew up helping to plant the vineyards he now runs. His spare time was spent pestering local marine life in the crystal waters of the St. Gulf St Vincent, visible on a clear day from Edgehill Vineyard.
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With viticulture in his veins, Joch backed up a viticultural diploma with several years learning from industry icons in the USA and around Australia before returning home in 1995 to take over the reins of father and founder Peter.
Joch’s commitment to organic principles in the vineyards began with an increasing discomfort with synthetic chemicals and a belief that working in tune with the climate of McLaren Vale would make natural farming not just possible but optimal.
Joch is recognised as a viticulturist and winemaker committed to innovation, environmental sustainability and grape-growing excellence.
Louise Hemsley-Smith
Marketing and Sales Director
Louise arrived in Australia from the UK on a working holiday. She quickly found the wine industry, working in her cousin’s Adelaide Hills vineyard before moving down to McLaren Vale.
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A Masters in Marketing at the University of SA led to marketing and sales at various McLaren Vale wineries (Tatachilla Winery, d’Arenberg and Penny’s Hill). Before she knew it, Louise was working at Battle of Bosworth where she took over all aspects of sales, marketing, administration, etc. of their wine labels, as well as a sideline of looking after the next generation of Bosworths, Celia (vintage 2004) and Peggy (vintage 2007).
Scott McIntosh (Winemaker)
Winemaking wizard, cat-herder, and fishing fanatic. He’s been running the cellar since 2019.
Spencer Lee (Vineyards)
Our longest-serving team member (besides Joch and Louise) and a former rugby legend. Now cheers from the sidelines (and the bar).
James “Woody” King
Winery and vineyard all-rounder. Also the muse for our “Birds of Bosworth” greeting cards.
Emma Loretan
Queen of winery operations and paperwork extraordinaire. Handles all the tough jobs (and we’re grateful!).
Bronwyn Lock
Bookkeeper by day, nurse by night. Handy to have around, especially during harvest!
Jane Arnold
Cellar door superstar at both locations. Drives everything, charms everyone, and is managed by a mini dachshund named Poppy.
Kelly Fargher
Cellar door guru with the best Spotify playlists. Loves cold drip coffee and signing up wine club members.
Rebecca Blythman
Our longest-serving cellar door operative. Ex-nurse with a love for order, cleanliness, and the White Boar.
Annabel Vickery
KI cellar door legend. Koala cuddler, firefighter, construction worker, and bobcat driver – is there anything she can’t do?
Celia Bosworth
Third-gen Bosworth, spreading her talents everywhere. Winemaking student and WSET Level 3 rockstar.
Oscar Bosworth
The Bosworth OG winery dog, Oscar takes being chilled out to the highest level on the path to enlightenment.
Badger Bosworth
Badger is the class clown who will meet you in the car park and escort you to the tasting bench. He might jump up. Get down, Badger!